The UK’s first national steel strike in 30 years could happen this month after Unite schedules Tata Steel action for June 22 June 8, 2015 The UK is facing its first national steel strike for 30 years, after union members voted for action against Tata Steel. Unite the union announced today the strike – agreed last week – would go ahead on June 22. It is part of an ongoing dispute over pensions, with the manufacturer telling workers [...]
New Look launches £1.2bn bond issue to repay high interest Pik loans June 8, 2015 New Look is launching a bond issue totalling £1.2bn to restructure its debt and pay off its high-interest loans as it transitions to new owners. The group, which has recently been bought out by South African tycoon Christo Wiese, is issuing £1bn-worth of senior secured notes due in 2022 and £200m senior notes due [...]
Grant Shapps sockpuppet whistleblower Richard Symonds forced out by Wikipedia committee June 8, 2015 The man behind the claims that Grant Shapps was favourably editing his own Wikipedia page (and doing down his political rivals) has had all his privileges revoked. In the run-up to the General Election, Wikipedia blocked the account Contribsx, saying it suspected it of being used by Shapps or someone “under his clear direction”. [...]
High street chemist Boots to cut 700 head office jobs to make it “fit for the future” June 8, 2015 High street chemist Boots will cut as many as 700 non-store roles as part of a major restructure to turn the business around. Around half of the job cuts will take place at the retailer's Nottingham head office, while the rest will be among its field teams across the UK, industry bible Retail Week [...]
City restaurant Coq D’Argent did “all it can” to stop suicide of food blogger Wilkes McDermid, coroner rules June 8, 2015 A City restaurant did everything it could to prevent a man throwing himself from its seven-storey roof garden, a coroner's inquest has ruled. Food blogger Wilkes McDermid jumped from the Coq D'Argent restaurant on Poultry, near Bank, on 8 February. The City of London coroner Dr Roy Palmer recorded his death as suicide, saying [...]
Maidstone fire “suspicious”, linked to earlier car fires: police June 8, 2015 A “suspicious” fire that broke out in Maidstone, Kent late last night could be linked to an earlier incident in which five cars were set alight nearby, police have said. A fire was reported at 2:11am at The Works bookshop on Week Street, in the centre of the town. It spread to adjoining properties [...]
Low yacht inflation is helping billionaires boost their net worths during a “golden era” akin to Victorian times June 8, 2015 Negligible inflation may be helping the average shopper splurge more cash down the supermarket, but when it comes to billionaires it is helping pave the way for relatively cheaper yachts, luxury homes and staff. The average European billionaire has seen their wealth increase by 11.9 per cent in the last year, taking their net [...]
Young, rich and foreign: Why Mayfair’s typical resident means it’s one of London’s trendiest neighbourhoods June 8, 2015 Gone are the days when London's exclusive Mayfair postcode was reserved for retirees – now the west London zone has turned into a “resort” for 20- and 30-somethings, many of whom hail from overseas. Nearly 60 per cent of people who live in Mayfair are aged under 44, with more than half of residences [...]
Fifa imploded and Morrisons bumbled through: Here’s what got us talking this week June 5, 2015 Fifa imploded. Greek talks went on (and on) and on. And somewhere in the Surrey hills, even more oil was found. Here's what got us talking this week 1. Working nine to five… but not if you're at the top If your office starts to look a bit thin on the ground [...]
DLR contractors are going on a 48-hour strike next week June 5, 2015 Contractors working on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will go on strike this coming Monday for 48 hours over what the unions call an “assualt on pay and working conditions”. More than 80 per cent of DLR RMT members voted for action against the “notorious anti-union facilities company Interserve”. RMT said there were [...]
